Mole Removal

Approximate Cost

Recovery

Plastic Surgeons in Canada

Possible Complications

(The following is general information: Consult with your plastic surgeon for more detailed complication risks – specific to your body, current health and exact chosen procedure)

The mole may grow back if the entire root is not removed; abnormal scarring

Mole Removal in Canada

A mole is a small, darkly pigmented growth on the skin, a high concentration of melanin is responsible for their dark color. Depending on their location, moles may go unnoticed – or they may become a nuisance by rubbing against clothing and getting in the way of shaving. Moles are usually circular or oval and not very large. Most children are born with moles, and almost everyone has at least one or two moles on their bodies, some more than others.

Sometimes people want a mole removed for cosmetic reasons – because of its visibility on the face or obvious part of the body. However if If you have a mole that is asymmetrical, changes shape quickly or bleeds, chances are your doctor will want it removed for it to be tested. Moles are most often of no medical consequence, however many skin cancers, including melanoma begin in the shape of a mole.

Removal of moles is done under local anesthetic in a physicians office. If you are getting the mole removed for cosmetic reasons you may choose to privately consult with a plastic surgeon or a cosmetic dermatologist. If your GP is suggesting the mole be removed they will refer you to a specialist. The mole may be removed with an instrument that quickly punches out a small section of the mole, it may also be cut with a scalpel, or a laser used to reduce bleeding and allow for quicker healing time. The tissue is then sent to a pathology lab to be examined. If the hole left behind is deep you may require sutures. After the procedure, a bandage is usually applied.

The amount of pain afterward varies, and depends on the method used. After a mole is removed, a scab will develop and then heal within 1-2 weeks. Any redness around the area should disappear within 2-4 weeks. Your physician will give you specific recovery instructions. Immediately after surgery, you should avoid any activities that might dampen the treated area. Follow your doctors instructions carefully to avoid any possible complications or delayed healing.

When having a mole removed for cosmetic reasons it is important you consider the possibility of scarring badly in that area….depending on the area the scar may be less attractive than the mole itself.